After 22 years of coaching at the helm of Canyon and a total of 42 years of coaching, Joe Lombard announced his retirement.
Lombard, who has taken Nazareth and Canyon to playoff appearances in all of his 42 years, has posted a 1,379-133 record in his career, the second-highest win total in the nation, behind Granbury’s Leta Andrews who has tallied 1,416 wins.
“I’m going to take my talents to retirement.,” Lombard said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “I just feel like it’s the right time.”
THE GOAT is retiring.
Joe Lombard after 42 years retiring from coaching at Nazareth and Canyon.
Record: 1,379-133
State hoops titles: 19
State cross country titles: 7
6 Hall of Fames@UIL_AD @SportsDriveKGNC pic.twitter.com/hrvmdyt9Ob— Lance Lahnert (@lancelahnert) April 7, 2020
Lombard has won 19 state titles, the most recent being in 2017.
Lombard’s son and current assistant coach, Tate, could be tabbed as the next head coach of the Lady Eagles, but it is up to Canyon ISD and the job process.
“That would be the perfect scenario,” Lombard said. “However, there is a legal process that the schools have to go through to open the job up. If that is meant for Tate to get that, that’s awesome.”
Outside of the hardwood, Lombard has also won seven state titles in cross country and has been inducted in six hall of fames.
Thank you Coach!!!! pic.twitter.com/nMtji9Nq47
— CanyonISDAthletics (@CanyonAthDept) April 7, 2020
